Date:09/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/09/stories/2008110960191800.htm

Sport - Cricket

I did not sledge: Prior

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: Matt Prior has faced more than his share of adversity, controversy and notoriety, sledging Indian players being one of the charges. Each time he has come out more determined. In keeping with duties as wicketkeeper for the one-day series against India, he will be in the thick of action and is looking to be in the news for his cricketing abilities.

Asked to comment on the sledging charges raised against him in the second Test at Trent Bridge against India last year, Prior said: “I was accused of dropping jellybeans to provoke Zaheer Khan. I was also charged with attempting to sledge Sachin Tendulkar. I did not do anything that amounts to sledging. It was all excitement. I felt excited and it showed, I am always trying to lift my fielders’ spirits.”

After being overlooked for the New Zealand tour, his smashing form for Sussex in 2008 saw the selectors recalling him for the NatWest Series against South Africa under Kevin Pietersen and the Stanford Twenty20 matches in Antigua.